The following interviews with former PhD students offer valuable insights and practical advice to prospective students considering our program. They share firsthand experiences about what you can expect throughout your doctoral studies, including guidance on choosing mentors, balancing research responsibilities, and making the most of opportunities provided by the program. Their perspectives will help you better understand how to navigate your journey and identify key elements that contribute to success during your time here.
Lauren Hunter, PhD
Pursuing a Ph.D. in aging and adult development at Tulane was a natural choice, driven by a deep interest in the field and the university’s specialized program. The tuition remission and stipend also played a crucial role in the decision-making process, allowing for full immersion in rigorous coursework and research. Throughout the program, certain experiences stood out as particularly rewarding, including the independent publication of a research paper, which was both a significant achievement and a confidence booster. The guidance and instruction of Dr. James Cronin and Dr. Jill Daniel were also instrumental, with their engaging teaching styles in courses like “Neurobiology of Aging” and “Physiology of Psychology” shaping both academic knowledge and future teaching methods.
The program provided a comprehensive education in aging, equipping students with essential skills in academic writing, concept synthesis, and effective communication. These foundations directly contributed to securing a position as an adjunct professor at Loyola University, where courses on death, dying, and research methods are now part of the teaching repertoire. Additionally, the program’s emphasis on autonomy and intellectual rigor helped in developing a private practice specializing in adult development and aging. The ability to establish a niche as an aging specialist has been incredibly fulfilling, with clients seeking psychotherapy specifically for this expertise. For prospective students, the program’s independent structure is something to be mindful of—it requires self-motivation and strong networking skills. Looking back, the journey was long and challenging, but ultimately, it was well worth it.
Jacob Kendall, PhD
I was initially drawn to this PhD program because of its interdisciplinary nature—that’s just how I think. My interest in aging developed later, but the program’s ability to connect different fields really stood out to me during the decision-making process. At the time, it was a new and emerging field, which made it even more exciting to be a part of. One of my most memorable experiences was guest lecturing for social work courses at a university in Beijing for a month. I also had an excellent advisor, who is now on faculty at Johns Hopkins, and while my advisor was a great influence, the course I found most interesting was actually Cognitive Neuroscience—even though it wasn’t directly related to my research. This program equipped me with the ability to communicate across multiple domains of aging, including ageism, senior living, population aging, chronic disease, and mental health. I also gained strong expertise in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, and global health, which have been incredibly valuable in my career.
Since graduating, I’ve had a pretty diverse career—I’ve been a professor in both social work and global health at two different universities, and I’ve also co-founded or founded three different universities. Beyond academia, I’ve been featured in multiple published interviews and have been a guest on 30+ podcasts discussing my work. If I had to give advice to someone considering this program, I’d say: don’t go into academia—it’s a sinking ship. If you can get into industry without a PhD, don’t bother getting one. And if you do go for a PhD, choosing the right advisor is the single most important decision you’ll make. Looking back, the best thing about this program was its interdisciplinary nature, which gave me the flexibility to work across different fields. It gave me the tools to think broadly and apply my knowledge in a variety of settings, both in academia and beyond.
